Approximately 2.3 million people are living with both HIV and hepatitis C virus (HCV), being coinfected with HCV is about 6%, but good data is lacking for many countries. Join me as I blog over a 16 week period before, during and after my 12 week hepatitis C treatment and care experience as new treatments become available through the NHS. HIV and HCV are both blood-borne viruses that are transmitted in similar ways. HCV is a heartier virus that can live longer on surfaces and in equipment used to inject drugs, while HIV is more easily transmitted through sex. Worldwide there are approximately 37 million people living with HIV and 115 million people with antibodies to hepatitis C, indicating either past or present infection. It is well known that many people are co-infected with both viruses. As well as being highly effective with cure rates of more than 90%, new interferon-free treatments are almost as effective in patients with HIV and relatively easy to give with ART.
“NHS England announced last summer the single biggest new multi-million-pound treatment investment of the year by the NHS would be in hepatitis C�
The funding has allowed for new treatments to be rolled out with the real
hope for hepatitis C patients. In most cases patients can be effectively cured of the virus and these drugs are easier to take when compared with the older treatments. Nearly 5,000 individuals with cirrhosis of the liver, caused by chronic hepatitis C, have been treated by the NHS. By 2016 to 2017 the NHS is committed to doubling the number of patients treated to 10,000. The partnership between clinical leadership and healthcare providers, which was established within a short space of time, has had remarkable and life changing advances within the healthcare systems. However the NHS will face some real budgetary challenges due to the number of patients and the very high aggregate cost of the treatments involved. The NHS is hoping the Pharmaceutical companies will also play their part by making their drugs more affordable. NHS also acknowledges, that people living with chronic hepatitis C will be more concerned with how soon they will
be able to access the new oral treatments. Due to very high cost of the treatments clinical and logistical limitation, it will not be possible for all patients to be assessed, monitored and treated immediately.
Patient profile My name is David Rowlands and I am the director of Design-Redefined.co.uk, < http://www.design-redefined.co.uk> a company delivering healthcare communications to enable people with HIV and/or hepatitis C to become better engaged with their treatment and care. I was diagnosed with HIV in 2003 aged 21. In 2012 I was diagnosed with hepatitis C, genotype 1a. Then in 2013 I started an interferon-based therapy. The aim of completing a 48 week course. Due to the side-effects of treatment I completed only 28 weeks and during this time I struggled with my physical and poor mental health. It was agreed with my healthcare team that treatment should be stopped for my own health and wellbeing. This was disappointing as I did not achieve the treatment outcome as first thought. After waiting for some time, now new direct-acting antiviral medicines to treat hepatitis C have started to be made available to eligible patients in England within the NHS. These treatments are fast acting, relatively side-effect free and have been shown to free the majority of patients of the virus.
“Join me as I blog over a 16 week period before, during and after my 12 week hepatitis C treatment and care experience.”
Insights: Testing & diagnoses, preparing for treatment, treatment choice, adherence, Support, abbvie Care, patient care, side-effect management, a nurses perspective, healthy living, motivation, Health & well-being tracker, lifestyle choices, cure and reinfection rates and finally my journey.
Health and well-being tracker: Will include side-effects I have experienced while on treatment and the impact upon my life during treatment.
Why blog? •To engage with people to test for hepatitis C. •To breakdown stigma of hepatitis C treatment and care. •To share insights and knowledge of my experience across social media platforms. •To engage with healthcare professionals, commissioners and the third sector of a patients experience. •To encourage people living hepatitis C to access treatment.
with
•To document a changing landscape of hepatitis C therapy. •To support family, friends and work colleagues to better understand my experience. •To improve peer to peer support. •To better understand support networks for people living with hepatitis C. •To enable me to reflect on my journey.
Link to #hepctreat Http://www.designredefined.co.uk/hepctreat/4591641781
About the author: David Rowlands is the director of DesignRedefined.co.uk, delivering effective healthcare communications to enable people with HIV and/or hepatitis C (HCV) to become better engaged with their treatment and care. Drawing on his established networks and collaboration with partners, David is able to bring healthcare together, by engaging patients & organisations, healthcare providers, physicians, stakeholders & policy makers. Contact David via Email: david@design-redefined.co.uk
Follow my insights using #hepctreat
Website: http://www.design-redefined.co.uk
Https://twitter.com/DR_tweetuk
Twitter: https://twitter.com/DR_tweetuk
Tail keyword searches: HIV, HCV, Hepatitis, Hepc, Treatment, Testing, Transmission, Diagnoses, Stigma, Adherence
Hashtags: #hepctreat
#drmedia
Twitter ID to be included in all tweets regarding this article: @DR_tweetuk